Philadelphia, PA – May 3, 2007 – Barry M. Abelson, a senior partner with Pepper Hamilton LLP, will receive the Blair Thompson Lifetime Venture Award from the Mid-Atlantic Capital (MAC) Alliance at its 20th annual awards luncheon in June. The award is given in recognition of “a direct, major and successful role in furthering the region’s venture interests” by promoting or strengthening the venture capital base and enhancing the venture process.
The awards luncheon will take place at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing on June 7, 2007.
Mr. Abelson has long been a champion of the MAC Alliance (formerly the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group) and has been dedicated to furthering its growth and making it a dynamic and vital organization for the business community. He has served on its board of directors, and he co-chaired its 2005 Mid-Atlantic Venture Conference. He has spoken at numerous conferences in order to advance the visibility of the Philadelphia venture community, and he has served as a mentor for countless entrepreneurs and venture capitalists, in an effort to grow and strengthen the region’s VC base.
“I’m honored to receive the Blair Thompson Award,” said Mr. Abelson. “There are so many opportunities in the mid-Atlantic region and so many emerging companies in the Philadelphia area that have tremendous investment potential. I’m proud to have had a part in making this region a preeminent area for venture investments.”
Mr. Abelson is a partner in Pepper Hamilton’s corporate and securities practice group. He served as chairman of Pepper’s Executive Committee, the firm’s governing body, from 1995 until earlier this year. He concentrates his practice in securities, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity and venture capital transactions. He regularly counsels boards of directors, independent board committees and senior management of companies on governance, disclosure and transactional matters.
Active in the community, Mr. Abelson serves on the boards of the Children’s Crisis Treatment Center, which provides comprehensive mental health services to Philadelphia’s neediest children and their families, and Operation Warm, which distributes coats to needy children nationally. He also is a member of the board of directors of the Institute of Law and Economics at the University of Pennsylvania.
The Mid-Atlantic Capital Alliance (www.macalliance.com) connects people, ideas and capital at all stages of company growth and investment – from venture to buyout. It serves as an advocate for promoting the mid-Atlantic region as a hub for entrepreneurship, corporate growth and investment. It is a collaboration among funds, investors, entrepreneurs and companies for the advantage and benefit of all.
About Pepper Hamilton
Pepper Hamilton LLP (www.pepperlaw.com) is a multi-practice law firm with 450 lawyers in seven states and the District of Columbia. The firm provides corporate, litigation and regulatory legal services to leading businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit organizations and individuals throughout the nation and the world. The firm was founded in 1890.
